System and method for locating a portable device in different zones relative to a vehicle and enabling vehicle control functions

ABSTRACT

A vehicle system may include wireless transmitters carried by a vehicle and spaced apart from one another and configured to transmit wireless signals, a portable device configured to receive the wireless signals from the wireless transmitters, and a controller carried by the vehicle. The controller may be configured to wirelessly communicate with the portable device, cooperate with the portable device to determine when the portable device enters into one of a plurality of different zones relative to the vehicle based upon the received wireless location signals, with the zones having different respective vehicle control functions associated therewith. The controller may also be configured to enable the respective vehicle control function associated with the zone entered into by the portable device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/125,049 filed Sep. 7, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/290,120 filed Oct. 10, 2016, which in turnclaims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/239,080 filedOct. 8, 2015, all of which are hereby incorporated herein in theirentireties by reference.

BACKGROUND

In vehicle applications, a smart key allows a driver to keep a key fobpocketed when unlocking, locking and starting a vehicle. For example,the key is identified via one of several antennas in the car's bodyworkand a radio pulse generator in the key's housing. Depending on thesystem, the vehicle is automatically unlocked when a button or sensor onthe door handle or trunk release is pressed.

Vehicles with a smart key system can disengage the immobilizer andactivate the ignition without inserting a key in the ignition, providedthe driver has the key inside the car. On most vehicles, this is done bypressing a starter button.

When leaving a vehicle equipped with a smart key system, the vehicle islocked by either pressing a button on one of the door handles, touchinga capacitive area on a door handle, or by walking away from a vehicle.

Some vehicles automatically adjust settings based on the smart key usedto unlock the car. Such settings may include user preferences such asseat positions, steering wheel position, exterior mirror settings,climate control settings, and stereo presets. Some vehicle models havesettings that can prevent the vehicle from exceeding a maximum speedwhen a certain key is used for starting.

Portable devices, such as smartphones, as well as smartphoneapplications (or programs running on the portable devices), have becomenearly ubiquitous. Smartphone applications have been developed to givesmartphones the functionality of a key fob. For example, a smartphonewith the appropriate software application can be used in place of anelectronic key fob to lock and unlock doors, control a car find feature(e.g., audible horn honk), start a vehicle remotely, or programauxiliary outputs (like trunk release).

Smartphone applications have been developed to receive vehicleinformation via two-way interfaces connected to a vehicle's OBDII port.OBD may stand for On-board diagnostics. Such a smartphone applicationcan be used to ask for reports that score driver habits for aid insafety coaching, conserving fuel and reducing insurance rates, trackvehicle location and help authorities locate the car if it is stolen.Instant alerts can be sent to the smartphone when drivers exceed pre-setgeofence boundaries. In addition, the smartphone application can be usedto request diagnostic reports on vehicle health and preventativemaintenance for tires, brakes, shocks and more.

Smartphone applications may utilize existing communication interfaces inthe smartphone and the vehicle. However, these interfaces may not beconfigured to detect the precise location of the smartphone.

SUMMARY

A vehicle system may include a plurality of wireless transmitterscarried by a vehicle and spaced apart from one another and configured totransmit wireless signals, a portable device configured to receive thewireless signals from the wireless transmitters, and a controllercarried by the vehicle. The controller may be configured to wirelesslycommunicate with the portable device, cooperate with the portable deviceto determine when the portable device enters into one of a plurality ofdifferent zones relative to the vehicle based upon the received wirelesslocation signals, with the zones having different respective vehiclecontrol functions associated therewith. The controller may also beconfigured to enable the respective vehicle control function associatedwith the zone entered into by the portable device.

In an example implementation, one of the zones may correspond to a rearof the vehicle, and the respective vehicle control function for the zonecorresponding to the rear of the vehicle may comprise actuating at leastone of a vehicle trunk and liftgate. In accordance with another example,one of the zones may correspond to a driver's seat within the vehicle,and the respective vehicle control function for the zone correspondingto the driver's seat within the vehicle may comprise disabling a textingfunctionality of the portable device. In still another exampleembodiment, one of the zones may correspond to an interior of thevehicle, the vehicle may include an infotainment system, and therespective vehicle control function for the zone corresponding to theinterior of the vehicle may comprise pairing the portable device withthe infotainment system. In accordance with another example, one of thezones may correspond to an exterior of the vehicle, and the respectivevehicle control function for the zone corresponding to the exterior ofthe vehicle may comprise vehicle door unlocking.

By way of example, the controller may be configured to cooperate withthe portable device to determine when the portable device enters intoone of the zones based upon received signal strengths of the wirelesslocation signals. Also by way of example, the wireless transmitters maycomprise Bluetooth low energy (BLE) beacons. In an example embodiment,the controller may be further configured to selectively change aschedule at which the wireless transmitters transmit the wirelesslocation signals. The portable device may comprises at least one of asmartphone and a fob, for example.

A related method may include transmitting wireless signals from aplurality of wireless transmitters carried by a vehicle and spaced apartfrom one another. The method may further include, at a controllercarried by the vehicle, wirelessly communicating with a portable deviceconfigured to receive the wireless signals from the wirelesstransmitters, cooperating with the portable device to determine when theportable device enters into one of a plurality of different zonesrelative to the vehicle based upon the received wireless locationsignals, the zones having different respective vehicle control functionsassociated therewith, and enabling the respective vehicle controlfunction associated with the zone entered into by the portable device.

A related non-transitory computer-readable medium is for a controller tobe positioned in a vehicle and having computer-executable instructionsfor causing the controller to perform steps including wirelesslycommunicating with a portable device configured to receive wirelesssignals from a plurality of wireless transmitters carried by the vehicleand spaced apart from one another, and cooperating with the portabledevice to determine when the portable device enters into one of aplurality of different zones relative to the vehicle based upon thereceived wireless location signals, the zones having differentrespective vehicle control functions associated therewith. A furtherstep may include enabling the respective vehicle control functionassociated with the zone entered into by the portable device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a Bluetooth passive entry sensor and a Bluetoothpassive entry module included in the system of FIG. 1 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates using hysteresis of a received signal strengthindicator (RSSI) signal to prevent vehicle doors from locking andunlocking multiple times as a user approaches a threshold according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates micro-locating by checking RSSI against all devicesin a cycle according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the preset invention,there is provided a system and method for micro-locating andcommunicating with a portable vehicle control device.

Through use of micro-location, a portable vehicle control device, suchas a smartphone, can have its location precisely detected relative to avehicle. This way, if a smartphone is detected inside a vehicle, thesmartphone may be enabled to start the vehicle. In addition, if thesmartphone is detected inside the vehicle and the smartphone is in thedriver's seat, the smartphone's texting feature may be disabled.Further, if the smartphone is detected outside the vehicle near thevehicle's trunk, automatic opening of the trunk/liftgate may befacilitated.

Micro-location technology enables a smartphone's location to beaccurately detected under one meter. In one example micro-locationtechnology, a plurality of Bluetooth low energy (BLE) beacons may bepositioned within a vehicle. These beacons are small transmitters whosesignals can be detected by smartphones and tablets. To receive beacontransmissions, a software application is installed on the smartphone ortablet. The application uses the transmitted BLE signal to estimate itsproximity to a beacon. This enables the delivery of relevant content inthe right physical space, at the right time.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention in which BLE micro-location is used to locate andcommunicate with a portable device. It is to be understood, however,that other micro-location technologies may be used such as WiFi, QuickResponse (QR) codes, Zigbee and ANT (ANT is a proprietary open accessmulticast wireless sensor network technology). It is to be furtherunderstood that BLE micro-location can be used with a number of mobileoperating systems including Android and iOS.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a vehicle control system thatincludes a vehicle 1, a portable device 2 and internet 3.

The portable device 2 may be a smartphone capable of running one or moresmartphone applications, and being carried by a user. The portabledevice 2 may include a control unit and one or more transceivers capableof wireless communication, including, for example, a BLE transceiver anda cellular transceiver. It should be understood that the portable device2 is not limited to a smartphone, and that the portable device 2 may beany type of device carried by a user and separable from a vehicle,including, for example, a tablet or a key fob.

The portable device 2 may communicate with the internet 3 via itscellular transceiver. A variety of mobile telecommunication protocolsmay be employed by the portable device 2. These may include GlobalSystem for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA).

The vehicle 1 may include a plurality of BLE proximity sensors 10 a to10 d and a BLE control module 20. The BLE proximity sensors 10 a to 10 dmay be “Bluetooth beacons.” A Bluetooth beacon is a transmitter thatuses BLE to broadcast a signal that can be heard by compatible or smartdevices. These transmitters can be powered by batteries or a fixed powersource such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) adapter. When a smart deviceis in a beacon's proximity, the beacon will automatically recognize thesmart device and will interact with the smart device.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the BLE proximity sensors 10 a to 10 dare capable of transmitting signals to one or more transceivers of theportable device 2. For example, the BLE proximity sensors 10 a to 10 dmay be configured to transmit signals to a BLE transceiver of theportable device 2. As described herein, based on the communicationsignal from the one or more of the BLE proximity sensors 10 a to 10 d,the portable device 2 may determine location information about itself.

The BLE proximity sensors 10 a to 10 d can further communicate with eachother. As an example, they may exchange security data indicating theyare part of the same system and authorized to communicate with othersystem components. In yet another example, they may communicate signalstrength coming from the portable device 2 as well as a time stamp ofthe signal coming from the portable device 2.

The BLE control module 20 may communicate with the BLE proximity sensors10 a to 10 d. This communication may be via a wired or wirelessinterface. For example, the BLE control module 20 and the BLE proximitysensors 10 a to 10 d may communicate over a vehicle bus such as aController Area Network (CAN) bus. The BLE control module 20 maycommunicate with a vehicle control system via the vehicle bus. Forexample, in response to the portable device 2, the BLE control module 20may instruct the vehicle system to lock or unlock a door of the vehicle1.

The BLE control module 20 can communicate with the BLE proximity sensors10 a to 10 d to control behavioral patterns and/or operating modesthereof. As an example, the BLE control module 20 can instruct the BLEproximity sensors 10 a to 10 d to operate, for how long to operate, atwhich frequency to operate, etc. In yet another example, the BLE controlmodule 20 can instruct the BLE proximity sensors 10 a to 10 d when topower up, when to power down or when to run according to a schedule.

The BLE proximity sensors 10 a to 10 d may be disposed at variouslocations on the vehicle 1. Example locations include rearview exteriormirrors, and upper and/or lower portions of the doors, the rear bumperor a combination thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the BLE control module 20is disposed in the vehicle dash, two BLE proximity sensors 10 a and 10 dare disposed in the rearview exterior mirrors and two BLE proximitysensors 10 b and 10 c are disposed at mid-portions of the passenger anddriver side doors. It should be understood, however, that theembodiments described herein are not limited to this configuration, andthat the BLE control module 20 and the BLE proximity sensors 10 a to 10d may be disposed anywhere in the vehicle 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates a BLE proximity sensor 10 (BT Passive Entry Sensor)and a BLE control module 20 (BT Passive Entry Module) in more detail. Asshown in FIG. 2, the BLE proximity sensor 10 includes a BTsystem-on-chip 11, a voltage regulator 12, antenna array 13 and aconnector 14. The BLE control module 20 includes a microprocessor 21, aBT system-on-chip 22, a voltage regulator 23, antenna array 24, a CANtransceiver 25, a general-purpose input/output (GPIO) 26 and a connector27.

The BT system-on-chip 11 of the BLE proximity sensor 10 enables BLEmaster and slave nodes to be built and includes a radio frequency (RF)transceiver with a software integrated development environment,in-system programmable flash memory and other peripherals to interfacewith a wide range of sensors, etc. The connecter 14 of the BLE proximitysensor 10 may be used to connect the BLE proximity sensor 10 to thevehicle's power supply.

The BT system-on-chip 22 of the BLE control module 20 may operatesimilar to the BT system-on-chip 11 of the BLE proximity sensor 10. Theconnecter 27 of the BLE control module 20 may be used to connect the BLEcontrol module 20 to the vehicle's power supply. The GPIO 26 of the BLEcontrol module 20 may be used to hardwire the BLE control module 20 tothe vehicle's electrical system. The CAN transceiver 25 of the BLEcontrol module 20 allows the microprocessor 21 of the BLE control module20 to communicate with the vehicle's electrical system through a CANbus.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, in an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, the BLE control module 20 may use its antenna array24 to communicate with the BLE transceiver of the portable device 2. Theantenna array 24 may be a directional or omnidirectional antenna. TheBLE control module 20 may establish a BLE connection between itself andthe portable device 2, thereby allowing the portable device 2 tocommunicate with the BLE control module 20 when in proximity to thevehicle 1. Such communication will be authorized once the portabledevice 2 is authenticated by the BLE control module 20.

The BLE proximity sensor 10 c may use its antenna array 13, such as adirectional antenna aimed tower the driver seat, to determine where theportable device 2 is located. For example, if the portable device 2 islocated outside the vehicle 1, the signal strength between BLE proximitysensor 10 c and the portable device 2 may be low. If the portable device2 is located in the rear seat of the vehicle 1, the signal strengthbetween the BLE proximity sensor 10 c and the portable device 2 may below. If the portable device 2 is located in the driver seat, the signalstrength between the BLE proximity sensor 10 c and the portable device 2may be high. Based on the signal strength, the portable device 2 may beable to determine its location, such as whether or not it is in or nearthe driver seat.

For enhanced accuracy, each of the BLE proximity sensors 10 a to 10 dmay transmit a signal to the portable device 2. Based on a combinationof the strength of these signals, the portable device 2 may determineprecise location information about itself. For example, if the signalsreceived from the BLE proximity sensors 10 disposed outside the vehicle1 are weaker than the signals received from the BLE proximity sensors 10disposed outside the vehicle 1, the portable device 2 may know it isinside the vehicle 1. Further, if the signal received from a BLEproximity sensor 10 disposed in the driver side door is stronger thanthe signals received from the BLE proximity sensors 10 disposed in thefront passenger and rear passenger doors, the portable device 2 may knowit is in the driver seat.

Each of the BLE proximity sensors 10 a to 10 d may transmit a Bluetoothdiscovery signal and/or a received signal strength indicator (RSSI)signal to the portable device 2. These signals may be repeatedlytransmitted.

A control unit of the portable device 2 may monitor the signal strength(RSSI data) received from each of the BLE proximity sensors 10 a to 10d. Based on the monitored signal strength, the control unit determinesif the portable device 2 is located in close proximity to the vehicle 1for unlocking or within the front part of the vehicle 1 for starting thevehicle 1. It should be understood that the portable device 2 maydetermine its location in a variety of ways.

For example, the control unit of the portable device 2 may determine thelocation of the portable device 2 based on whether the signal strengthof the BLE proximity sensors 10 a to 10 d exceeds a threshold. Forexample, if the signal strength of the BLE proximity sensor 10 a isabove the threshold, the portable device 2 may know it is near the BLEproximity sensor 10 a. Further, if the signal strength of the BLEproximity sensor 10 b is below the threshold and the signal strength ofthe BLE proximity sensor 10 a is above the threshold, the control unitmay know with more accuracy that the portable device 2 is located nearthe BLE proximity sensor 10 a. The strengths of the signal received fromthe BLE proximity sensors 10 a to 10 d may be sent to the BLE controlmodule 20.

The BLE control module 20 may include a software algorithm stored on itsmemory and operable using its microprocessor 21 to enable the BLEcontrol module 20 to know where the portable device 2 is based onsignals received from the portable device 2. For example, based on thesignal strength of a communication received from the portable device 2,the BLE control module 20 may know if the portable device 2 is insidethe vehicle 1 or outside the vehicle 2. The algorithm may also know thecurrent state of a variety of vehicle features. For example, whether thevehicle's doors are locked or unlocked. In this case, if someone inpossession of the portable device 2 is within a predetermined range ofthe vehicle 1 and this information is provided to the BLE control module20, the currently locked doors may be automatically unlocked. If someonein possession of the portable device 2 is outside another predeterminedrange of the vehicle 1 and this information is provided to the BLEcontrol module 20, the currently unlocked doors may be automaticallylocked. In other words, passive entry features may be accomplished.

It is to be understood that when a door is automatically unlocked, insome cases, the door may be opened without the vehicle owner having tomake physical contact with the door. For example, the door mayseamlessly open as the vehicle owner crosses a predetermined distancethreshold with respect to the vehicle. It is to be further understoodthat the door may not be fully opened, just partially opened, so thatthe door does not touch a vehicle parked nearby.

For example, when a person with the portable device 2 is more than 30feet from the vehicle 1, the vehicle's doors may be locked. When theperson with the portable device 2 is within 10 feet from the vehicle 1,the vehicle's doors may be unlocked. The distances used for locking andunlocking the vehicle's doors may be based on a threshold of signalstrength and may incorporate a time delay.

For example, a radio frequency integrated circuit included in theportable device 2 reports an RSSI that can be used for understandingabsolute power levels of a received transmission (or noise). The RSSIcan be used to approximate a distance between the transmitter and thereceiver with several assumptions such as the transmitter power andantenna gains. The distances assume a certain path loss based ondistance and interference or attenuating factors. A large number ofvariables can change path loss in real time; thus, RSSI is used as arough indicator when one receiver and one transmitter are used. In otherwords, RSSI is used to judge a distance between two devices.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,hysteresis of the RSSI signal can be used to prevent the system fromlocking and unlocking multiple times as a user approaches a triggerthreshold. For example, a single trigger threshold may be crossed withalmost no motion of the user due to variation in signal strength justabove or below the threshold. To prevent this, the hysteresis may be setwith a reasonably large gap so that once transition from lock to unlockhas occurred (as an example), a much smaller signal threshold may be setto transition again from unlock to lock. The smaller signal mayrepresent a farther distance. In addition, a wait time may be set afterthe first threshold transition before checking the signal again.Further, a wait time may be set after the second threshold transition.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the system of the vehicle 1 will unlockwhen the user (e.g., portable device 2) approaches and reaches an innerthreshold (e.g., ˜10 ft). The system will not re-lock unless an outerthreshold (e.g., ˜30 ft) is exceeded and the user stays past the outerthreshold for a period of time (e.g., 3-5 sec).

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the portable device2 can have certain features disabled through use of micro-location. Forexample, when the portable device 2 is a smartphone, its texting featurecan be disabled. For example, when the smartphone is detected throughmicro-location as being in the driver's seat, the phone's textingfeature may be disabled. It is to be understood that other phonefeatures can be disabled. For example, videotelephony technologies suchas facetime may be disabled. It is to be further understood that phonefeature disabling is not limited to the driver seat and be can adjustedto include phones present in the front row of a car or anywhere else ina car.

To accomplish this, an app running on the smartphone will communicateRSSI levels between the BLE proximity sensors 10 and calculate itslocation compared to a frame (either a centroid or node). Thisinformation can be compared to established thresholds referenced by theframe to establish zones to allow or disallow mobile device functionssuch as texting.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, micro-location can be achieved bychecking RSSI against all devices in a cycle. B1 to B4 represent beaconsin a vehicle and M1 represents a mobile device. Dark lines between thebeacons B1 to B4 represent a beacon frame. A frame is established whenthe beacons B1 to B4 are communicably coupled to each other to form anetwork. In this case, the dark lines between the beacons B1 to B4represent a communication channel between the beacons B1 to B4. Toaccomplish this, the beacons B1 to B4 establish signal strengths betweenneighbors. This way, variations within the frame can be detected.

Using the communicably coupled beacons B1 to B4, a zone Zone can beestablished. The zone Zone is threshold based. For example, the edges ofthe zone Zone can be defined by RSSI values with respect to the beaconsB1 to B4. For example, the lower edge of the zone Zone would have strongRSSI values with B4 and B3, while have weak RSSI values with B1 and B2.The upper edge of the zone Zone would also have strong RSSI values withB4 and B2, but these values would not be as strong as the RSSI values ofthe lower edge of the zone Zone. More than one zone can be created.

When the mobile device M1 is brought into the frame, it can bedetermined whether the mobile device M1 is within the zone Zone. Forexample, signal strength between the mobile device M1 and each of thebeacons B1 to B4 can be measured. The mobile device M1 can then belocated against a centroid of the frame using triangulation techniques.The mobile device's location can then be checked against the boundariesof the zone Zone. If in the zone Zone, the mobile device M1 can bepermitted full functionality (yes text) or limited functionality (notext).

It is to be understood that zones can also be established by estimationusing reference mobile devices at the time of system design and placedinto software as a set of calibrations. Zones can also be established bya training process at the time the mobile device is programmed (paired)to the beacon frame. Training can be a refinement of pre-establishedzones.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, micro-location maybe used to facilitate Bluetooth pairing to a vehicle's infotainmentsystem. For example, when a smartphone is in close proximity to aninfotainment display in a vehicle, the Bluetooth pairing process isinitiated between these two devices. This way, the smartphone cancontrol the infotainment system without having to perform a cumbersomepairing process with the entire vehicle control system. To accomplishthis, a zone can be established near the vehicle's radio to indicate afunction button is to be pressed to accept a pairing request (as anexample).

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, micro-location canalso be used to determine whether a person is standing at the back ofthe vehicle to facilitate automatic opening of the trunk/liftgate. Inthis case, a zone would be located near the rear of the vehicle.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a coin cell batterypowered back-up wallet card that allows a user to access the vehicle ifthe smartphone is lost/stolen/dead battery can be provided. The walletcard would still allow the user to unlock and start the vehicle. In thiscase, the mobile device is replaced by a hardware device such as akeyfob or wallet card that contains a BT radio, micro-controller andfirmware that operates like the app described above.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Bluetooth tirepressure monitor sensors (TPMS) paired to a vehicle that also addsecurity protection to wheels may be provided. For example, if wheelsare removed while the security system is armed, then the alarm will betriggered.

For example, the wheel sensors may be configured to act as part of thebeacon frame (the frame does not have to be made by four BT devices). Inthis case, an alert or alarm trigger can be set if one of the beaconsstops functioning or drops out of the network. The beacons may also bedefined by type and alert levels can be set based on type. For example,some types may cause an alarm trigger, while others may not. Further,alerts may be of different forms such as a text message.

In addition, rather than defining the wheel sensors as part of thebeacon frame, the sensors can be defined as additional devices. Forexample, a smartphone may be defined as a first mobile device, adongle/key fob may be defined as a second mobile device and the tiresensors may be defined as a third mobile device. The tire sensors mayinclude their own microprocessor, BT transceiver, power, etc. and theymay be put inside a tire. For example, the tire sensors may be in a lugnut cap or a tire stem.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, all radio frequency(RF) in the car can be Bluetooth (BT) instead of Ultra-High Frequency(UHF).

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, urban mobilityfeatures for zipcar and car sharing services are provided. For example,there may be provided a process to share encryption keys to enable carstart and unlock based on account credentials managed in a clouddatabase—pay per use or credit card account, etc. Current systemsrequire a BT connection between the phone and the vehicle. BTconnections require the devices be paired before data can flow. Inpresent exemplary embodiment, an app is used to get authorization topair with the vehicle prior to initiating pair or it will block access.Additionally the pairing process can be simplified and be accessiblewhen the vehicle is off and the user is outside the vehicle. In thiscase, an NFC antenna can be mounted on the inside of a window surfacethat will active the BT pairing process and share pairing data via theNear Field Communication (NFC) channel. In another case, the vehicle canhave a telematics module that is in communication with the cloud servicealong with the phone. The BT pairing data will flow between the vehicleand phone via the Internet on a secure channel brokered by the cloudservice.

To enable vehicle access via BT, an exemplary authorization process isas follows:

-   -   1. The service provider preprograms a unique vehicle access key        for each vehicle before end user check out. Each vehicle will        have one or more identifier constant(s): UUID, Bluetooth        Address, and VIN. Each record in the cloud database will include        the aforementioned identifier constants as well as the        preprogrammed vehicle access key. This record data is referred        to as vehicle access information.    -   2. Via mobile app, the end user checks out a vehicle after        payment. The mobile app will access the cloud service to        download and store vehicle access information used for BT link        pairing via SSP (Secure Simple Pairing).    -   3. If a vehicle is unpaired, it will be advertise the vehicle        identifier(s) and wait for connections on a schedule. The mobile        app will attempt pairing when the end user attempts to access        the vehicle.    -   4. If a vehicle is already paired, it will connect to the mobile        device if within BT range.    -   5. Once paired, the end user has full access to the feature set.    -   6. During vehicle check in, the BT link is unpaired and the        vehicle access key is removed from the mobile app. The service        provider then connects to the vehicle in order to create a new        vehicle access key and remove any end user Bluetooth pairing        profiles.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided alow current BT pinging scheme. For example, polling may be put on aschedule, a ping schedule may be based on last access to the vehicle,and adaptive scheduling may be based on location, time of day (e.g.,google staking—going to work, coming home from work, shopping). Forexample, BT beacons advertise on a schedule every 5-10 seconds. Theschedule can be made longer or shorter. For example, between 6 am car isfrequently used, therefore, up the ping rate.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided alink to a biometric (e.g., eyelock) which adds security forauthentication to start a vehicle, authentication to share a vehicle, orlogin. In this case, through use of biometric identification, onlycertain people can pair a phone, allow a car to start if a phone batteryis dead or a phone won't authenticate for some reason. Biometricidentification can also be used for personalized feature controls likememory seat, radio preset, mirror location, teenage restrictions—speedlimit, radio volume, geofence zone settings/alerts, for example. Inaddition, biometric identification can be used for True Driver ID forinsurance & Customer Relationship Management (CRM) services, as well asproviding features such as tracking and speed alerts—sent through thephone data channel, drowsiness detection and alerts, under-the-influencedetection. For example, teen driving over 70 mph, text sent to parent'sphone.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, eye dilationreaction time is delayed when a person is under the influence ofalcohol. Using internal eyelock system in rear view mirror, eyelock cando under the influence detection method (e.g., detect rate of eyedilation) using flashing light in mirror to cause pupil to dilate. Whenrate dilation exceeds an under the influence threshold, the car may beprevented from being started.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided alink to an RF—the RF keypad being used for entry to the vehicle if aphone is dead or lost. In this case, an externally mounted RF keypad canbe used to gain entry to the vehicle when a cell phone battery is dead.This allows a user to charge the phone once in the vehicle to allow carstart through cell phone authentication. In addition, access to a carcan be permitted and authenticated using eyelock, finger print, oranother biometric. Further, a thin wallet card with BT chip and batterycan be used. This would be used as a spare key to enable vehicle unlockand start in case of dead cell phone battery. A power switch can be usedto enable circuitry only when needed to preserve coin cell life (thisfeature could extend the useful life of a back up dongle or wallet cardto near 10 years). NFC can be embedded in the RF keypad to allow forunlock.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided alink to NFC for initial pairing, using encryption to start andcredential sharing. For example, NFC is a secure communication channelthat typically requires very low range such a 4 cm or less to couple thesignal. In the present embodiment, an NFC antenna can be placed in thevehicle dashboard or nearby and require the phone be placed on thecoupling surface to enable it to be used as a secure key. Encryptionkeys and security data can be communicated via the NFC channel. Certaincredential updates such as deactivation or ownership transfer can alsobe limited to occur only through this process. NFC can be used toinitiate BT pairing as opposed to advertising and discovery. This cansave power.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a network meshusing the ANT protocol and involving command signal hopping from vehicleto vehicle as well as data hopping from vehicle to vehicle is provided.In this case, a command signal (lock, remote start, etc.) is tagged witha vehicle address and any vehicle with this equipment will receive thesignal and rebroadcast to all other nodes in the mesh within range—thesignal would continue to hop until the receiving device finally gets thesignal. The signal may be prevented from recirculating and may have anexpire—the expire can be a hope count or time limit or both.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an RF/BLE fob maybe yet another peripheral which gives a phone access to controllingremote functions (start, locate, security, etc.) by providing a BT or RFgateway to the vehicle's (RSM).

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, if you want toborrow a friend's car, a web service can have a secret key allowing youto borrow the key for two days, for example. The encryption keys are inthe cloud. They are sent to your phone assuming you are a member of theweb service. The time permitted to use the secret key can be extended.Further, when sharing credentials, functionality can be limited. Forexample, speed can be limited, trunk access can be denied.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, byholding phone near radio and turning on BT pairing of the radio, sincethe phone knows where it is (due to micro-location), the phone will bepaired to the radio.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a safety feature to disable the text function on apaired phone when the system determines said phone is in location of thedriver seat. For example, if same phone is being held by and located ina passenger seat texting is enabled, as soon as it is moved into thedriver seat location, texting is disabled. The safety feature can beactivated/deactivated when in dealer lot mode.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, asmart phone can be utilized instead of or in addition to ACM keypad forpreload vehicle security access. This eliminates the need for dealers topurchase ACM keypads and can reduce program costs.

In operation:

Dealer web browser acts as an administration tool to set up users/smartphones and view/print usage reports Smart phones are used at time ofinstall, during sales demos in lot-mode, and to transition the securityproduct to consumer mode

Smart phones control the vehicle security & RKE systems and transmit theusage activity to the server

Smart phone/users are given access rights by the administrator (time ofday and days of week operation)

All usage transactions are sent to the server

-   -   Vehicle ID    -   Smart phone ID (user)    -   Operation type (lock, unlock, consumer mode transition,        transition type (Red, Green, Yellow, Blue)    -   Timestamp

The use process is as follows:

User opens smartphone app

App checks with server to verify user access and logs in

User come within range of vehicle to gain access

-   -   Possible usage methods to control vehicle        -   Scan VIN barcode, or barcode sticker        -   Hold phone to NFC tag (if system configured and equipped)        -   User presses number sequence keyed to the vehicle ID        -   Select vehicle from menu list (list populated by all            vehicles within Bluetooth range)

User presses function key

-   -   Lock/unlock/transition

Transaction information is sent via cell network to the sever to createtransaction record

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theaforementioned micro-location techniques can be used to set up driverpreferences like memory seat, radio presets, climate controls, mirrorlocations, etc.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,when the phone is detected in the driver seat area, certain phonefeatures such as Siri and Google voice can be automatically engaged.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, themicro location algorithm can have multiple hysteresis thresholdsdepending on location and mode of operation. For example, the algorithmcan determine instantaneous location changes within the beacon frame,but actions and feature actuation can have different hysteresiscriteria—these criteria would be based on reaction to total distancemoved into and out of function zones and also time in and out of thezone as well as rates of movement. Use of the phone's accelerometer maybe used in both the feature activation functions and in the locationalgorithm. As an example, the driver may simply extend their arm(holding phone) to try to defeat the zone texting lockout. This wouldhappen quickly and for a relatively short duration. There can also be anactivation feature based on location and motion of the phone such asshake twice to activate Siri if in the driver zone, etc. Or, shake twiceto lock the car when around the vehicle after exiting the car.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art that variations in form and detailmay be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the attached claims.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle system comprising: a plurality ofwireless transmitters carried by a vehicle and spaced apart from oneanother and configured to transmit wireless signals; a portable deviceconfigured to receive the wireless signals from the wirelesstransmitters; and a controller carried by the vehicle and configured towirelessly communicate with the portable device, cooperate with theportable device to determine when the portable device enters into one ofa plurality of different zones relative to the vehicle based upon thereceived wireless location signals, the zones having differentrespective vehicle control functions associated therewith, and enablethe respective vehicle control function associated with the zone enteredinto by the portable device.
 2. The vehicle system of claim 1 whereinone of the zones corresponds to a rear of the vehicle; and wherein therespective vehicle control function for the zone corresponding to therear of the vehicle comprises actuating at least one of a vehicle trunkand liftgate.
 3. The vehicle system of claim 1 wherein one of the zonescorresponds to a driver's seat within the vehicle; and wherein therespective vehicle control function for the zone corresponding to thedriver's seat within the vehicle comprises disabling a textingfunctionality of the portable device.
 4. The vehicle system of claim 1wherein one of the zones corresponds to an interior of the vehicle;wherein the vehicle comprises an infotainment system; and wherein therespective vehicle control function for the zone corresponding to theinterior of the vehicle comprises pairing the portable device with theinfotainment system.
 5. The vehicle system of claim 1 wherein one of thezones corresponds to an exterior of the vehicle; and wherein therespective vehicle control function for the zone corresponding to theexterior of the vehicle comprises vehicle door unlocking.
 6. The vehiclesystem of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to cooperate withthe portable device to determine when the portable device enters intoone of the zones based upon received signal strengths of the wirelesslocation signals.
 7. The vehicle system of claim 1 wherein the wirelesstransmitters comprise Bluetooth low energy (BLE) beacons.
 8. The vehiclesystem of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured toselectively change a schedule at which the wireless transmitterstransmit the wireless location signals.
 9. The vehicle system of claim 1wherein the portable device comprises at least one of a smartphone and afob.
 10. A vehicle system comprising: a plurality of wirelesstransmitters carried by a vehicle and spaced apart from one another andconfigured to transmit wireless signals; a controller carried by thevehicle and configured to wirelessly communicate with a portable deviceconfigured to receive the wireless signals from the wirelesstransmitters; cooperate with the portable device to determine when theportable device enters into one of a plurality of different zonesrelative to the vehicle based upon the received wireless locationsignals, the zones having different respective vehicle control functionsassociated therewith, and enable the respective vehicle control functionassociated with the zone entered into by the portable device.
 11. Thevehicle system of claim 10 wherein one of the zones corresponds to arear of the vehicle; and wherein the respective vehicle control functionfor the zone corresponding to the rear of the vehicle comprisesactuating at least one of a vehicle trunk and liftgate.
 12. The vehiclesystem of claim 10 wherein one of the zones corresponds to a driver'sseat within the vehicle; and wherein the respective vehicle controlfunction for the zone corresponding to the driver's seat within thevehicle comprises disabling a texting functionality of the portabledevice.
 13. The vehicle system of claim 10 wherein one of the zonescorresponds to an interior of the vehicle; wherein the vehicle comprisesan infotainment system; and wherein the respective vehicle controlfunction for the zone corresponding to the interior of the vehiclecomprises pairing the portable device with the infotainment system. 14.The vehicle system of claim 10 wherein one of the zones corresponds toan exterior of the vehicle; and wherein the respective vehicle controlfunction for the zone corresponding to the exterior of the vehiclecomprises vehicle door unlocking.
 15. A method comprising: transmittingwireless signals from a plurality of wireless transmitters carried by avehicle and spaced apart from one another; and at a controller carriedby the vehicle, wirelessly communicating with a portable deviceconfigured to receive the wireless signals from the wirelesstransmitters, cooperating with the portable device to determine when theportable device enters into one of a plurality of different zonesrelative to the vehicle based upon the received wireless locationsignals, the zones having different respective vehicle control functionsassociated therewith, and enabling the respective vehicle controlfunction associated with the zone entered into by the portable device.16. The method of claim 15 wherein one of the zones corresponds to arear of the vehicle; and wherein the respective vehicle control functionfor the zone corresponding to the rear of the vehicle comprisesactuating at least one of a vehicle trunk and liftgate.
 17. The methodof claim 15 wherein one of the zones corresponds to a driver's seatwithin the vehicle; and wherein the respective vehicle control functionfor the zone corresponding to the driver's seat within the vehiclecomprises disabling a texting functionality of the portable device. 18.The method of claim 15 wherein one of the zones corresponds to aninterior of the vehicle; wherein the vehicle comprises an infotainmentsystem; and wherein the respective vehicle control function for the zonecorresponding to the interior of the vehicle comprises pairing theportable device with the infotainment system.
 19. The method of claim 15wherein one of the zones corresponds to an exterior of the vehicle; andwherein the respective vehicle control function for the zonecorresponding to the exterior of the vehicle comprises vehicle doorunlocking.
 20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for acontroller to be positioned in a vehicle and having computer-executableinstructions for causing the controller to perform steps comprising:wirelessly communicating with a portable device configured to receivewireless signals from a plurality of wireless transmitters carried bythe vehicle and spaced apart from one another; cooperating with theportable device to determine when the portable device enters into one ofa plurality of different zones relative to the vehicle based upon thereceived wireless location signals, the zones having differentrespective vehicle control functions associated therewith; and enablingthe respective vehicle control function associated with the zone enteredinto by the portable device.
 21. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 20 wherein one of the zones corresponds to a rear of thevehicle; and wherein the respective vehicle control function for thezone corresponding to the rear of the vehicle comprises actuating atleast one of a vehicle trunk and liftgate.
 22. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 20 wherein one of the zonescorresponds to a driver's seat within the vehicle; and wherein therespective vehicle control function for the zone corresponding to thedriver's seat within the vehicle comprises disabling a textingfunctionality of the portable device.
 23. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 20 wherein one of the zonescorresponds to an interior of the vehicle; wherein the vehicle comprisesan infotainment system; and wherein the respective vehicle controlfunction for the zone corresponding to the interior of the vehiclecomprises pairing the portable device with the infotainment system. 24.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 20 wherein one ofthe zones corresponds to an exterior of the vehicle; and wherein therespective vehicle control function for the zone corresponding to theexterior of the vehicle comprises vehicle door unlocking.